Monday, February 6, 2012

Assad and Syria

For anyone who doubts that China and Russia are focused on power politics in their foreign policy, here is the proof. Assad the vogue hero is murdering his own people as they demand freedom. From a practical perspective, military based intervention options are limited. Instead, hardened sanctions and increased covert support to resistance cells must be the increasing concern of the West. This conflict is one being fought over values. The values of freedom vs the values of authoritarianism (Iran alongside).

As I wrote for the guardian a while back, if the West can increase both pressure and regional attention on Assad's actions, groups like Hezbollah will feel great pressure to reduce their support for the Syrian regime. This will be critical in helping to speed Assad's fall into the trash can of history.